Sofía Vergara Returns for St. Jude Thanks and Giving

The 23rd annual campaign features Vergara and several celebrity supporters, with Target rejoining for the first time since 2013.

Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Philanthropy

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a cream gift box tied with a deep red ribbon on a soft ochre field, evoking holiday giving. — Sofía Vergara and Drew Barrymore return with Target rejoining the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign to raise funds for childhood cancer research. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Sofía Vergara returned as a celebrity ambassador for the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign in October 2026, alongside Drew Barrymore, Luis Fonsi, Jon Hamm, and Michael Strahan. Target rejoined the campaign for the first time since 2013.

Why it matters

The campaign raises funds for childhood cancer research, patient care, and family support at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which says its research has raised the U.S. childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. Target's return adds a major retail partner to the fundraising effort.

St. Jude says its research has lifted the U.S. childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80%. Target has worked with St. Jude for nearly 30 years, though it sat out the campaign from 2013 until this year.

The players

Sofía Vergara

Colombian-American actress known for her role on the sitcom Modern Family, who has supported the St. Jude campaign for 15 years.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Memphis-based pediatric hospital founded in 1962 that focuses on catastrophic childhood diseases, particularly cancer.

Target

Major American retail chain that has worked with St. Jude for nearly 30 years and rejoined the campaign this year.

The details

Celebrity ambassadors filmed holiday spots alongside St. Jude patients, and donations are collected through online gifts and purchases of limited-edition products at participating retailers. Participating brands include Domino's, Chili's, Dollar General, AutoZone, Williams Sonoma, J.Crew Factory, Kia, Zales, Jared, KAY, HomeGoods, and Homesense.

1962: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital opened.
2013: Target last participated in the campaign before rejoining.
October 2026: The 23rd Thanks and Giving campaign launched with celebrity ambassadors.

Philanthropy Landscape

The St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign, now in its 23rd year, follows the retail-linked cause marketing model St. Jude has used since the 1990s, in which consumer purchases fund pediatric cancer research. Target's return after a gap since 2013 places it back among the national retailers that carry this model.

Shoppers at participating retailers, including Target, can support St. Jude by purchasing limited-edition products or making online gifts during the campaign. Donations directly fund childhood cancer research, patient care, and family support.

The takeaway

Retail purchases can double as charitable giving when companies partner with research hospitals. Choosing participating brands during holiday shopping is a simple way to support pediatric cancer care.